The Prince of Wales took centre stage today at an NFL Foundation U.K. event in London, where he met with 50 young people from communities across the U.K. who benefit from the program.
It’s not every day you see royalty engaging with a group of young athletes on the field, but this visit was part of a larger mission that’s transforming lives through sports.
The NFL Foundation U.K., now marking its third year, is the NFL’s first charitable arm outside the U.S., and it’s making waves. Working with 23 community organizations across London, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, and Leeds, it’s already reached over 6,000 young people.
These aren’t your average after-school clubs either—this is NFL Flag football, brought into communities where kids don’t always have access to top-tier sports programs. We’re talking areas with high deprivation and low levels of physical activity, but the impact is already remarkable.
Henry Hodgson, the General Manager of NFL U.K. and Ireland summed it up perfectly: “The NFL Foundation U.K. is a powerful program that helps to change the lives of young people in communities that are often underrepresented and underserved.”
He added, “We are delighted to welcome The Prince of Wales to see the NFL Foundation U.K. in action and hear from the young people this program serves, against the backdrop of the 2024 London Games.”
During the event, His Royal Highness didn’t just observe from the sidelines; he jumped right into the action with the young participants.
Taking to the field, he joined NFL Flag activities alongside notable figures like Louis Rees-Zammit, the Welsh rugby star who’s also made a name for himself through his involvement in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ community programs.
Phoebe Schecter, the GB Women’s Flag Football Team Captain, NFL Legend Jason Bell, and two-time Super Bowl champ Osi Umenyiora also joined in, giving the kids an unforgettable experience.
Rees-Zammit wasn’t shy about his enthusiasm for the day: “I’m really happy to be able to support the NFL Foundation U.K. and the great work they do.
Meeting the Prince of Wales again was of course a real honour, especially as his presence spotlights the NFL’s work. It was also cool to see the kids in action on a flag football field and join in.”
The NFL Foundation U.K. doesn’t just stop at flag football, though. It’s a full-circle program, offering much-needed support in education, employment, mental health, and building inclusive communities for young people aged 12-20.
Flag football is the perfect gateway, and it’s working wonders. This non-contact version of American football is fast, inclusive, and accessible to just about anyone.
It’s no surprise it’s become one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, with over 20 million players in more than 100 countries.
Women and girls are leading the charge, and in case you hadn’t heard, flag football’s now officially on the Olympic roster for Los Angeles 2028.
Back here in the U.K., NFL Flag has become a fixture in schools, played in over 650 institutions with 60,000 participants. These aren’t just boys—it’s a co-ed game, and it’s catching on fast.
The NFL Foundation U.K. itself kicked off in 2021, starting with a £1 million partnership between the Foundation and the Mayor of London’s ‘Sport Unites’ fund.
Since then, funding from Sport England has allowed the program to expand to other major cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds, with a little help from the San Francisco 49ers.
Today’s event wasn’t just about watching flag football or rubbing elbows with royalty; it was a celebration of what’s been achieved and a look toward what’s still to come.
The timing is perfect too, as the 2024 NFL London Games have been in full swing. After two sold-out games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the finale at Wembley this weekend between the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars is sure to cap off the season in style.
With programs like the NFL Foundation U.K. in action, the combination of sports and social impact is proving to be a game-changer.
Whether you’re a community leader, a sports development enthusiast, or just someone passionate about the social good that sports can create, this is the blueprint for what the future of youth engagement looks like.